http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/word-chat/ en-us Tue, 5 Jan 2010 14:41:14 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2421340/posts Word For The Day, Tuesday, 1/5/10 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ephemeral; adj. 1. lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood. 2. lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower. –noun 3. anything short-lived, as certain insects. Origin: Etymology:1570–80; < Gk ephmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hÄ“mér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al 1 Related forms: eâ‹…phemâ‹…erâ‹…alâ‹…ly, adverb eâ‹…phemâ‹…erâ‹…alâ‹…ness, noun Synonyms: 1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief. Antonyms: 1. permanent.... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2421340/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 14:41:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2420515/posts b>Word For The Day, Monday, 1/4/10 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". apotheosis; noun Exaltation to divine rank or stature; deification. Elevation to a preeminent or transcendent position; glorification: "Many observers have tried to attribute Warhol's current apotheosis to the subversive power of artistic vision" (Michiko Kakutani). An exalted or glorified example: Their leader was the apotheosis of courage Etymology: 1605, from L.L. apotheosis, from Gk. apotheosis, from apotheoun "deify, make (someone) a god," from apo- special use of this... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2420515/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:36:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419032/posts Happy New Year! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419032/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 17:54:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418275/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".vicissitude \vih-SIS-ih-tood; -tyood\ , noun.1. Regular change or succession from one thing to another; alternation; mutual succession; interchange.2. Irregular change; revolution; mutation.3. A change in condition or fortune; an instance of mutability in life or nature (especially successive alternation from one condition to another). Example sentences: This man had, after many vicissitudes of fortune, sunk at last into abject and hopeless poverty.-- Thomas Macaulay, Max had rescued his father's gold watch through every vicissitude,... dictionaries ad nauseum, internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418275/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:16:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417587/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". canaille • \kuh-NYE\ • noun 1. rabble, riffraff * 2. proletarian * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: "I am not going to write for [the New York Weekly] -- like all other papers that pay one splendidly, it circulates among stupid people & the canaille." (Mark Twain, letter, June 1, 1867) Did you know? For a creature said to be man’s best friend, the dog doesn’t get a... Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417587/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:06:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416861/posts Word For The Day, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". embonpoint [ahn-bohn-PWAN] -n lumpness of person; stoutness. [Embonpoint is from French, literally "in good condition" (en, "in" + bon, "good" + point, "situation, condition").] http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416861/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:09:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416193/posts Word For The Day, Monday, 12/28/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". maladroit; adj. lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless: to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way. also used as a noun; n. An inept person. Etymology: 1665–75; < F, MF; see mal-, adroit Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416193/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:17:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414903/posts Merry Christmas! the Free Dictionary http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414903/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:18:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414424/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". clinquant \KLING-kunt\, adjective:1. Glittering with gold or silver; tinseled. noun:1. Tinsel; imitation gold leaf. Example sentences: Leaves flicker celadon in the spring, viridian in summer, clinquant in fall, tallying the sovereign seasons, graying and greening to reiterate the message of snow and sun.-- Ann Zwinger, Beyond the Aspen Grove The room had a twelve-foot high ceiling: hanging from it, four dimly lit antique brass chandeliers cast a clinquant glow on this sunless day.--... dictionaries ad nauseum, internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414424/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:04:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413670/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". baptism of fire • \BAP-tiz-um-uv-FYRE\ • noun 1. an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal; especially : a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire * 2. a spiritual baptism by a gift of the Holy Spirit Example sentence: Sandra got her baptism of fire as a babysitter when she spent the weekend taking care of her sister’s three rambunctious children. * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Did... Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413670/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:47:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2412927/posts Word For The Day, Tuesday, 12/22/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". apocryphal; adj. Of questionable authorship or authenticity. Erroneous; fictitious: "Wildly apocryphal rumors about starvation in Petrograd . . . raced through Russia's trenches" (W. Bruce Lincoln). Apocryphal Bible Of or having to do with the Apocrypha. a·poc'ry·phal·ly adv. Etymology: 1580–90; apocryph(a) + -al 1 Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2412927/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:25:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2412145/posts Word For The Day, Monday, 12/21/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". augur; verb/noun –noun 1. one of a group of ancient Roman officials charged with observing and interpreting omens for guidance in public affairs. 2. soothsayer; prophet. –verb (used with object) 3. to divine or predict, as from omens; prognosticate. 4. to serve as an omen or promise of; foreshadow; betoken: Mounting sales augur a profitable year. –verb (used without object) 5. to conjecture from signs or omens; predict.... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2412145/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:14:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2410307/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. FloridAdjective 1. Flushed with rosy color; ruddy. 2. Very ornate; flowery: a florid prose style. 3. Archaic Healthy. 4. Obsolete Abounding in or covered with flowers.<{>Noun - Floridity, FloridnessAdverb - Floridly Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review... the Free Dictionary http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2410307/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:43:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409463/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". arrogate (AIR-uh-gayt) verb1. To claim as a right for oneself presumptuously.2. To claim on behalf of another: to attribute or assign. Example sentence:"Youth fills you with optimistic thoughts, bursts with energy, and brims with confidence. It is the stage where you feel that your calling in life is to change the existing order for betterment arrogating the role of the social arbiter."--Philip Fernando; Understanding the JVP; Daily News (Colombo, Sri Lanka); Dec 8,... dicitonaries ad nauseum, internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409463/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:38:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2408677/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". sastruga • \SAS-truh-guh\ • noun a wavelike ridge of hard snow formed by the wind -- usually used in plural (sastrugi) Example sentence: "Over the sastrugi it is all up and down hill, and the covering of ice crystals prevents the sledge from gliding even on the down-grade." (Robert Falcon Scott, Journals: Captain Scott’s Last Expedition) Did you know? If "sastruga" and its plural "sastrugi" seem like unusual English words, that may be... Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2408677/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:27:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407818/posts Word For The Day, Tuesday, December 15, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". lissome [LISS-uhm] -adj 1. Limber; supple; flexible 2. Light and quick in action; nimble; agile; active. [Lissom is an alteration of lithesome, which derives from Old English lithe, "flexible, mild, gentle."] http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407818/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:47:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407077/posts Word For The Day, Monday, 12/14/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". effrontery; noun shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity: She had the effrontery to ask for two free samples. 2. an act or instance of this. Etymology: 1705–15; < F effronterie, equiv. to OF esfront shameless (es- ex- 1 + front brow; see front ) + -erie -ery Synonyms: 1. impertinence, impudence, cheek. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407077/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:04:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2405284/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. GainsayTransitive Verb 1. To declare false; deny. See Synonyms at deny. 2. To oppose, especially by contradiction. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to... the Free Dictionary http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2405284/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:51:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2404470/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".rhopalic(ro-PAL-ik) , adjective Having each successive word longer by a letter or syllable. A rhopalic verse or sentence is one that balloons -- where each word is a letter or a syllable longer. The word is also used as a noun. Example sentences:"I do not know where family doctors acquired illegibly perplexing handwriting; nevertheless, extraordinary pharmaceutical intellectuality, counterbalancing indecipherability, transcendentalises intercommunications' incomprehensibleness."--Dmitri Borgmann "Soapy fired off a rhopalic sentence, that is, one in which... dicitonaries ad nauseum, internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2404470/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:49:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403722/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ukase • \yoo-KAYSS\ • noun 1. a proclamation by a Russian emperor or government having the force of law 2a. a proclamation having the force of law 2b. order, command * * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: "The professor's first instruction to the [playwriting] class was a ukase: Never begin a play with a telephone ringing." (Bruce McCabe, The Boston Globe, June 23, 2000) Did you know? English... Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403722/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:41:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402756/posts Word For The Day, Tuesday, December 8, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". roborant [ROB-uh-ruhnt] -adj 1. Strengthening; restoring vigor. -n 3. A strengthening medicine; a tonic; a restorative [Roborant derives from the present participle of Latin roborare, "to strengthen," from robur, roboris, "strength."] http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402756/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 13:17:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2401961/posts Word For The Day, Monday, 12/7/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". feckless; adj. 1 : weak, ineffective 2 : worthless, irresponsible — feck·less·ly adverb — feck·less·ness noun Etymology: Scots, from feck effect, majority, from Middle English (Scots) fek, alteration of Middle English effect Date: circa 1585 Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2401961/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:29:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400186/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. AdventNoun 1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important: the advent of the computer. 2. Advent a. The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence. b. Christianity The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation. c. Christianity See Second Coming. Rules: Everyone must leave a post... the Free Dictionary http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400186/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 15:12:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399180/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".myrmidon \MUR-muh-don; -duhn\, noun1. (Capitalized) A member of a warlike Thessalian people who followed Achilles on the expedition against Troy.2. A loyal follower, especially one who executes orders without question. Example sentences:He risked assassination, torture or . . . retaliation, the defining signatures of Mr. Milosevic and his ultranationalist myrmidons.-- Bruce Fein, "Follow U.S. war crimes advice?", Washington Times, May 10, 2001 I felt quite sure that the myrmidon on duty in Gadsby Row... dictionaries ad nauseum, internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399180/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 12:21:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2398381/posts In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". pundit • \PUN-dit\ • noun 1. a learned person; teacher 2. authority, critic * * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: Grandpa likes watching liberal and conservative pundits spar about the issues of the day on the Sunday morning talk shows. Did you know? The original pundits were highly respected teachers and leaders in India. Their title was taken from the Hindi word "pandit," a term of respect for... Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2398381/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:58:01 GMT